Folding table.



'I Wi essozs y l No. 739,862. BATENTED SEPT. 29, 1903.

E. H. HARROD.

FOLDING TABLE. V APPLICATION vFILED .TUNE 13, 1903. no MODEL.

may kr Y if 35-`J UNITED STATES 'fatented September 29, 1963.

ELMER-H. HARROD, OF BELLE CENTER, OHIO.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 739,862, dated September 29, 1903. Application led June 13, 1903. Serial No. 161.348.A (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMEE H. HAREOD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Belle Center, in the county of Logan and State of Ohio, have invented a new and usefulFolding Table, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved fold-v ing table especially designed for the use of paper-hangers and others, and has for its object to provide a simple, inexpensive, and durable device of this character which may be quickly and compactly folded, so that the same may be carried withl great ease andfaclity.

A further object of the invention is to providea folding table formed iu two main sections hinged togetherand so arranged that when said sections are folded they will form a receptacle for the carrying of tools, dac.

A further object is to provide a table in which the usual transverse strips or battens are dispensed with, thereby forming a free unobstructed pocket for the reception of a straight-edge and other tools when the sections are folded, and, further, to provide means for bracing the legs or supports, so that the same may be readily folded within the sections,takingupVerylittleroom,andrendering the table extremely light and strong.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter fully explained, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, and minor detailsV of construetion may be resorted to without departing- .der the table steady.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

l designates the table,which maybe formed of wood or othersuitable material, and 2 the top, made in two longitudinal sections 3 and 4, hinged togetherat their adjacent edges, as shown at 5,soas to adaptthem to fold upon each other. The sections 3 and4are preferably provided with longitudinally-*disposed strengthening ribs or strips 6 and transverse Ystrips 7, secured in any suitable manner to the top and forming when said sections are folded a box-like structure or receptacle for the reception of tools,'&c. The supporting-legs 8 are preferably arranged in pairs and pivotally secured to the opposite ends of the sections 3 and 4 by means of hinges 9, which permit said legs being folded inwardly on said sections, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Each pair of thesupporting-legs Sis connected together bymeans of oppositelydisposed braces or tie-rods 9', one end of each of which is secured to the top of adjacent leg and extends inwardly and downwardly, being secured in any suitable manner to a central hinged supporting-plate 10, the opposite end of said tie-bars extending downwardly and outwardly, being fastened in any suitable manner to the lower part of the legs. The inner longitudinal strips 6 are provided with coincident openings or recesses 11, adapted to receive the hinge-plate 10 when the legs are folded inwardly, said plate being hinged in the, center, as shown at 12, so as to permit the legs to fold upon each other when the sectionsl are closed. The legs 8 are braced in their 'unfolded positions-by means of brace rods or arms 13, jointed at theirk middle, so as to adapt them to be rigidly held apart when unfolded, one end of each of-the arms being pivotally connected to the leg and the opp0- site end thereof to the outer rib or strip 6.

The operation of the device is as follows: To unfold the table, the sections 3 and4 are unfolded laterally, so that they both lie in the same plane, after which the legs 8 are turned to a vertical position, the brace-rods 13 unfolded and serving to brace the legs and ren- In folding the table for transportation the legs `are folded downwardly upon the top of the table, the central plates 10 fitting in the recesses 11, and the brace-rods likewise folding by the movement of the legs until they lie parallel with the longitudinal strips 6. The sections 3 and 4 are then folded one upon the other, the hinges 12 in the plate 10 permitting the legs to fold also, forming a substantially box-like structure, within which tools, doc., may be carried.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided an extremely simple, inexpensive, and durable table and one which may be compactly folded, so as to take up very little room, and which also forms a convenient receptacle for the reception of the workmans tools.

It will be observed by having the hinged sections free from transverse battens an nnobstructed pocket is formed therein permitting tools of considerable length, such as straight-edges, dac., being carried therein, while by having each section formed with a continuous dependingr rib or strip it not only materially strengthens the table, but also forms a completely-closed box when folded.

The particular manner of bracing the legs avoids the use of heavy cross-beams, thereby rendering the table much lighter and at the same time stronger.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed isl. Afolding table comprising, a hinged sectional top, each section being provided with a continuons depending flange, a pair of legs pivoted to the opposite ends of said sections and provided with centrally-hinged bracerods, there being recesses in the depending flange adapted to receive the brace-rods when the legs are folded.

2. A folding table comprising, a pair of longitudinal sections hinged at their adjacent edges, each section being provided with a continuous depending flange, a pair of legs pivoted to the opposite ends of said sections and adapted to be folded inwardly, centrallyhinged brace-rods connecting the legs, there being openings or recesses in the abutting edges of the hinged sections for the reception.

of the brace-rods when the legs are folded.

3. A folding table comprising, a pair of longitudinal sections hinged at their adjacent edges, each section being provided with a continuous depending flange, a pair of legs pivoted to the opposite ends of said sections and adapted to be folded inwardly, braces secured to the legs and to a centrally-hinged supporting-plate, there being openings or recesses in the abutting edges of the hinged sections adapted to receive the supporting-plate when the legs are folded inwardly, and brace-rods for securing the legs in the vertical position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto axed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ELMER II. IIARROD.

Witnesses:

P. M. STEWART, JOSEPH C. BRIGGS. 

